I’m thinking of buying an EP but idk which ones are the best. I’m looking for decent sounds, a nice driving experience and not to much of a performance hog. Any help would be appreciated.
Depends what you are looking for really. If an EMU I'd say the 375/377 pack. It has potential to run on lots of routes and has excellent sounds along with nice cab functionality (MITRAC display, GSMR etc). If a DMU I'd probably say the 158 packs although I don't own the others so can't really comment on those. The HST EPs are also great and breath new life into the old RSC HST. I've heard the class 800 EP is excellent too.
I can safely say I’ll pass on the HST EPs for now as I just don’t like the HSTs as much as others. The 158/159 EP does look very nice I must say
I definitely agree that the 158/159 EPs are good (both Cummins and Perkins). They are my go-to on most UK routes and probably my most played units alongside the HSTs. Can't comment much on the 168/170/171 pack as I've barely used it. AP packs do, however, make you realise just how bad the DTG default sounds were for most units.
The pack is great apart from it having unopenable windows and the diesel sounds can be a bit irritable when under power for long periods of time (lots of low pitch groans and oscillations like when on a voyager). Well you can't have a Chiltern Railways route without a turbostar
I dislike this EP. When applying power the engine has a pulsing whine that I've only rarely heard on the ones I regularly travel on. I suspect AP may have recorded one that had a fault!
Possibly, but the exterior sounds are spot on to me, just the cab view engine whine is a little off (and quite annoying to listen to!).
I haven't been on a 170 for about 10 years now but I always thought the pulsing sound was the realistic point but that's what I thought I remembered on Central Trains ones I went on Having a quick flick on YouTube of mostly ScotRail ones, you are right they sound straight This Greater Anglia example though differs from the ScotRail videos I watched and this is the sound I remember
I wondered if it might be a 170 subclass thing, but mechanically they are all the same. All I can say is that the 170s running between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street don't make the pulsing whine. In five years of commuting I think I've only heard it on only two journeys. I'm super alert to it now!
luckily i like the low pitch sounds voyagers make. I think some chiltern 168s have the pulsing sound. I should really know as I went on one yesterday lol. Anything’s better than the 1980s microwave that is the default sounds though
Totally agree, even with its minor problems the 168/170/171 EP is massively better than the default equivalent.
It's better than the default, but that wasn't what the OP asked. In my view it's not one of AP's best expansion packs. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the loco EPs, which in my view are good. I like the Class 31.
I drive a lot of 168 on Chiltern line but I don't like it that much. I think it is generally lower quality than other AP products. It has no additional features apart from the sounds and better physics. I think your choice should mostly depend on which routes you intend to drive.
And if you already own the Pack that the EP is for - no point in getting an EP without the base model from Steam
